Water heater leak detection system

Abstract

The disclosure reveals a system for detecting moisture or water in a particular location. The system may incorporate a moisture detector having a control module connected to an appliance, a moisture detection circuit connected to the control module, and a voltage source connected to the moisture detection circuit and to the control module. The voltage source and the moisture detection circuit may provide voltage levels to the control module when the moisture detection circuit detects dry or wet conditions, or conditions between those conditions. A voltage level to the control module may indicate whether the appliance, such as a water heater, a washing machine, or a dish washer, has a leak. If the leak is deemed by a voltage level from the circuit to be worthy of concern, then a display, an alarm, message, or other notice mechanism may indicate an issue or what action needs to be taken.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A moisture detection system comprising:
 a thermopile configured to generate a thermopile voltage; 
 a control module configured to control operation of a water heater; 
 a moisture detection circuit connected to the control module, wherein the moisture detection circuit is configured to:
 have a first resistance when dry such that a draw down of the thermopile voltage caused by the first resistance is insufficient to cause the control module to shut down; and 
 have a decreased resistance compared to the first resistance in the presence of moisture or water such that a draw down of the thermopile voltage caused by the decreased resistance is sufficient to cause the control module to shut down. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The moisture detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power storage system configured to charge from the thermopile voltage, wherein the power storage system comprises a capacitor. 
     
     
       3. The moisture detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the control module is configured to control an amount of current delivered from the thermopile to the power storage system. 
     
     
       4. The moisture detection system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an information indicating mechanism powered by the power storage system, 
 wherein the control module is configured to cause the information indicating mechanism to generate information indicating a presence of moisture or water in response to determining that the moisture or the water is present. 
 
     
     
       5. The moisture detection system of  claim 4 , wherein the information indicating mechanism comprises a speaker and wherein the information indicating the presence of moisture or water comprises an audible alarm, wherein the power storage system provides powers to the speaker. 
     
     
       6. The moisture detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to send a Wi-Fi signal indicating that action is needed in response to determining that the moisture or the water is present.